Flagler County Land Management is inviting residents to close out 2025 with a guided nature tour at Haw Creek Preserve, located in the western portion of the county along County Road 2007.
The tour, called “A Walk in the Park in the Woods,” will take place on December 10 with participants meeting at 8:45 a.m. sharp at the preserve. Registration is limited to 12 people, and those who sign up are asked to arrive early for a safety briefing and additional details about the two-hour hike. The walk is described as easy, taking place on flat, compacted, smooth trails and boardwalk.
Forestry Supervisor Ralph Risch will lead the group through a portion of the more than 1,052-acre preserve, which contains some of the best-preserved floodplain hardwood forest, hydric hardwood hammock, and wet flatwoods in the northeast Florida region.
“Our Walk will focus on experiencing the broad variety of plants and animals found in this fascinating habitat,” Risch said. “Wintering Songbirds from northern states and provinces will be of particular prominence, so bring a pair of binoculars. Some interesting plants to see will include water locust tree (Gleditsia aquatica), crowpoison false garlic (Nothoscordum bivalve), and the greenfly orchid (Epidendrum conopseum).”
Participants must register online and create an account, then sign two required waivers covering liability and photo/video release.
Those joining the walk should bring a water bottle, wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and apply sunscreen and insect repellent as preferred. Organizers note that mosquitoes are reportedly bad this year. Binoculars are recommended for enhanced bird watching, and participants may also wish to bring a birding field guide. Attendees should dress for the weather, which could range from cold and rainy to warm and sunny.
The preserve is located at 2007 County Road 2007 in Bunnell. To reach the location, visitors should travel west on State Road 100 from the light in Bunnell for approximately 7.2 miles to the intersection with County Road 305 and turn south. After continuing south on County Road 305 for 4 miles, visitors should turn west onto County Road 2006 and continue for 1 mile to County Road 2007, then turn south. The boat launch and parking area at Haw Creek Preserve is located 2.2 miles south along County Road 2007, following the road as it winds east and south.
